Uplifting Minorities and Marginalized Voices
“I Am African & I Can” is a women’s empowerment blog highlighting stories of black women’s struggles and successes.
By Hadiatou Wann| 06/07/19
Madina Toure was shy and reserved as a kid. But with a background education in journalism, she is becoming the breath of fresh talent that the African community needs.
Born in the city that never sleeps, Madina got a taste of two cultures—with a father from Guinea and mother who is from the Comoros Islands and grew up in France.
Madina has always been passionate about writing. She holds a Bachelor's degree from Barnard College, where she majored in political science and French. And she has a Master's in Magazine, Newspaper and Online Journalism from Syracuse University.
At the moment, she is an education reporter at POLITICO, covering traditional public schools, charter schools, CUNY and private colleges and universities. She has previously worked as a politics reporter at the Observer, where for 2 years she covered NYC politics at City Hall, and worked at Colombia Daily Spectator. She has also worked as a reporter at TimesLedger Newspapers and covered crime, education, and other newsworthy occurrences in Queens.
She was a former freelance journalist at AFKInsider, Sahara Reporters, YUE Magazine, and Examiner.com.
Madina has strong writing skills, and a brain that can understand the most complex topics. As an experienced journalist, she possesses the ability to take in information and convert it into simplified text that the average person can easily understand.
One time, she attended a 4-hour budget hearing and had to compress the information she received into a 700-word article that the average person could understand. She says that it is the journalist's job to be attentive, jot down only what is relevant to the central theme, and then summarize it for the average person to comprehend.
Madina has always shown interest in politics by engaging in voting during local and national elections, and constantly seeking to grasp an understanding of how government functions.
Being bilingual—she also speaks French—has helped her maneuver in mainstream media. Recently, her French-speaking skills enabled her to help a colleague communicate with a source for a story about President Trump's public charge rule.
“Part of success is making sure that other people have the same opportunities as you do,” said the Guinean-Comorian journalist.
Madina has for a while shown that she is willing to give a helping hand where it is needed. She has used her talents to help the African community on different occasions, assisted Miss Guinea USA and Guinean Succeeding in America (GSA) with getting media coverage, for example. As a journalist, she has also covered the African community (including immigrants), particularly political issues that affect the community.
She has used to be terrified of public speaking, but being involved in Miss Guinea USA (hosting the pageant twice) pushed her outside of her comfort zone and helped her become more comfortable speaking in front of a crowd.
Madina's friend Fatou Waggeh says: “Madina is a force in the African community in New York City. She is working hard to uplift the African immigrant and Muslim experience through her journalism. She is using writing as a tool for advocacy.“
Recently, during Ramadan ( a holy month when Muslims across the globe fast and engage in increased acts of worship/repentance) Madina and Fatou joined hands to put forth “The Black Muslim Series,” an effort to shed light on black Muslim men and women whose achievements deserve a standing ovation.
“She is a kind, thoughtful and humble young woman who continues to mentor and inspire many young women to pursue a career in journalism. I have known Madina for about three years now and in such a short time, she’s become one of my great friends. I believe that a foundation of our friendship is our passion for our community and shared experiences as Black Muslim Women,” said Fatou about Madina.
While working for mainstream media, Madina has been able to do what she loves and still stay true to who she is. With a strong support system, she's been fortunate to make a lot of things happen for herself, but feels the need to give others a share of her knowledge. Her aim is to continue supporting minorities and marginalized voices. She hopes to one day go to Guinea and the Comoros Islands and give back by collaborating with journalists. Together they will identify what resources they can use to foster a better education system and back causes that are in support of women's rights, and combat child marriage and female genital mutilation.
Welcome to Madina Toure's World
“A strong woman is someone who uplifts and supports others.”
“I want to be remembered as someone who used her privilege and her platform to help and uplift others, especially minorities and marginalized voices.”
Madina is a part of the “Inner Circle Show,” a musical where reporters and communicators poke fun at politicians in NY. Proceeds go to charities. In the above picture, Madina was playing First Lady Chirlane McCray and the man next to her was playing Mayor Bill de Blasio.
![[L-R] Madina's mother and father, her brothers, Madina](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5cad29f8d86cc959d00c3fea/1559941089610-DYJDLHFFM3A4QGHF2XCC/61705237_2721353654544942_7076209274451394560_n%7E3.jpg)
[L-R] Madina's mother and father, her brothers, Madina
“My parents are the most hardworking people I know. They have always been there for my brothers and I. They have been there for us through thick and thin and literally everything they do and have done is to ensure our success. They instilled in us the importance of education, knowing who you are and embracing who you are. It is from them that I learned the importance of giving back and always representing my African and Muslim cultures and identities.”
“Part of success is making sure that other people have the same opportunities as you do.”
Connect with Madina:
Facebook: Madina Toure
Instagram: @madinatoure428
Email:
madinatoure428@gmail.com
Read other success stories here: www.iamafricanandican.info/blog
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